As dependable as any of the Padres relievers this year, Ryan Buchter walked two batters, surrendered a hit and was lifted with one out in the eighth inning Friday night. The misstep, Andy Green said Saturday, had nothing to do with the decision to option the 29-year-old left-hander to Triple-A El Paso.

“We’ve pushed him hard all season,” Green said of Buchter, whose 58 appearances are a career-high. “He’s got more appearances now than he’s had at any point in time in his career. He threw 25 innings in winter ball. It’s been a long year for him. He’s looked very good for a very long period of time and it’s our job to look at a guy and say he needs a break.”

The two runs charged to Buchter on Friday lifted his ERA to 3.00, nearly double the 1.60 mark he held on June 25 in his first full season in the majors.

Opponents are hitting just .189 over his last 22 appearances, but he’s fashioned a 5.31 ERA largely because he’s walked 12 batters over his last 20 1/3 innings. His fastball has also slipped from sitting in 94 mph in his outings in June and July to just over 92 mph in Friday’s outing.

Green also noted that Buchter’s spin rate has declined a tad this month.

“He’s not hurt,” Green said. “He just needs a reprieve.”

In El Paso, Buchter will long-toss upon arriving, get in an inning or two of work to stay fresh and likely return to the Padres when rosters expand in 10 days.

Notable

The Padres also optioned SS Nick Noonan to El Paso and recalled LHP Keith Hessler and OF Patrick Kivlehan. Kivlehan was even inserted into the starting lineup in left field after hitting .341/.356/.500 with one homer, four RBIs and 15 strikeouts in 12 games since the Padres claimed him on waivers from the Mariners. A fourth-round pick of the Mariners in 2012 out of Rutgers, the 26-year-old Kivlehan was actually traded to Texas in the offseason, then designated for assignment and moved back to the Mariners before he was designated for assignment again. The Rutgers football-player-turned-baseball-walk-on is a career .282/.344/.470 hitter in the minors. He is expected to cover all three outfield positions while with the Padres

OF Jabari Blash (knuckle) hit on the field before Saturday’s game and even took hacks in RHP Tyson Ross’ live batting practice (more on that later today). He is available off the bench today and should return to the starting lineup soon. “We’re committed to giving Alex (Dickerson), Jabari and Travis (Jankowski) a run in the outfield to see what they can do with that opportunity,” Green said.

Noonan was 3-for-18 during his first stint with the Padres. SS Alexei Ramirez and INF Adam Rosales will continue to work in at shortstop, the recently-acquired Luis Sardinas will get an audition before the season ends.

ON DECK | D-backs (50-72) at Padres (52-70)

The 24-year-old Ray struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings but allowed five runs on nine hits and two walks earlier this year in a start against the Padres. He has allowed one earned run over his last 12 innings.

Richard allowed two runs on three hits and three walks in five innings in his first start for the Padres. He owns a career 3.01 ERA at Petco Park, his home for five seasons before returning this month.